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A Free Weekly Publication Serving All of Beaver County Wednesday,February March 30, 15, 137 Wednesday 162022, 2022Volume Volume 15Issue Issue
Council pens letter on ambulance shortages in rural areas Patricia Harcourt Beaver County is sending a letter to the Minister of Health as part of a Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) push to get help as ambulance availability remains an issue for rural areas. It stems from a mayors and reeves liaison committee meeting on March 14 which resulted in Stettler County Reeve Larry Clarke tabling the issue of challenges being experiences by rural emergency medical services. The discussion by the committee members brought to light the many challenges that municipalities are facing with respect to the provision of emergency medical services from contract extensions, aging ambulances, and lack of ambulance availability. RMA President Paul McLauchlin advised that a committee had been formed by the Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) and tasked with providing advice to Minister of Health Jason Copping on solutions to challenges facing Alberta’s emergency medical services system. The committee is to provide recommendations to Copping by May. McLauchlin requested that rural municipalities forward their concerns in writing to the RMA as soon as possible so that they may be considered by the committee. The March 17 meeting of Beaver County Council passed a motion authorizing Reeve Kevin Smook to for-
ward a letter to the Rural Municipalities of Alberta regarding the following rural emergency medical services challenges. They included the problem of availability of ambulances within the region due to the provincial dispatch service methodology; the second concerned the current delays in acquiring new ambulances; the third concern was the provincial contract extensions for employees with little increase in financial compensation; and the fourth concerned the resulting Impact on fire protection services which often have to take calls when ambulances are simply not available as they have been dispatched elsewhere. Beaver County’s Deputy Reeve Gene Hrabec, who also chairs the Beaver Emergency Services Commission (BESC), told council that the local emergency services had also written a letter, citing the extended wait times there are for ambulances. “Then it falls back to the fire department,” he said, to take calls ambulances cannot answer. Costs end up coming back to the municipality, he said. “We don’t want to burn out those volunteers,” in the fire departments, he said. Hrabec said he liked the idea of a presenting a letter but there might be “unintended consequences…I believe it’s a bigger overall problem.” But Councillor Barry Bruce (Division 4) added there is a world wide shortage of ambulances. And rural areas have only one ambulance which, if it
breaks down, means no ambulance is available. “I would like to see priorities (in place) to keep ambulances in the rural communities,” said Bruce. A motion by Councillor Dale Pederson (Division 5) for the reeve to sign and send a letter to the health minister, with the BESC letter attached, was passed by council. On March 10, the province announced a funding boost for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) funding to put more ambulances on the street and improve response times. The announcement said the $64 million increases the EMS funds by 12.2 per cent to “help EMS respond to high demand and (reduce) stress on staff.” It is hoped that giving more ambulances to Edmonton and Calgary will stop the use of rural ambulances being called away leaving their own local areas without emergency services. Minister of Health Jason Copping states that “EMS has been experiencing historic call volume and staffing pressures and we’re taking action to significantly increase EMS funding to improve capacity and access.” The province has also invited Albertans to have their say on the future of EMS. New public consultations were announced March 17 and the public is invited to respond by April 8 on the current state of EMS through an engagement website and a survey. - With files from Beaver County meeting highlights.
Public hearing held recently this month for road closure proposal Patricia Harcourt A public hearing was held March 17 at Beaver County’s council chambers to allow anyone for or against a proposed road closure to inform council. Interim Chief Administrative Officer Rick McDonald explained that the province has passed a Meeting Procedures (COVID-19 Suppression) regulation to permit hearings to be conducted electronically instead of in person. “The hearing has been structured so that all who wish to participate have the right to hear all discussions and speak for or against the road closure,” he said. The road closure request involved the road allowance north of NE 12-50-18-W4 (Township Road 502). The request is for a temporary road closure to public travel and leasing of portions of the public road allowance. The proposed bylaw states that “is no longer required for public travel.” The county “deems it expedient to provide for a bylaw for the purpose of closing to public travel, certain roads, or portions thereof, situated in the said municipality…” the bylaw continues. The proposal is to lease the surveyed road plan, subject to rights of access granted by other legislation. The public hearing had no objections to the proposal either through in-person attendance, on YouTube, or through a written submission. As there were no objections raised at the public hear-
ing, Development Officer Kim Vana recommended that council pass first reading for the temporary closure bylaw. “The road allowance currently dead ends at the applicant’s driveway and is the sole access to their property,” stated Vana, in her report. “The applicants would like to close the road allowance as there is no through access for the general public and the closure would help to prevent the public from trespassing onto their private property.” She added that Alberta Transportation expressed the concern that north Twp. Rd. 502 access off Highway 14 was considered unsafe after an inspection. Transportation wanted to remove it if no property to the north required it as an access. Vana said that Transportation has agreed to keep the existing Twp. Rd. 502 access off Highway 14 open, “but only if the road closure is changed to a temporary closure and leased from the county.” The arrangement allows the applicant to put up a “no trespassing” sign while leaving the option of having the road allowance remain a public access in future. However, landowners to the north confirmed they use the access for farming their lands, and would need another access point off R.R. 180 if Twp. Rd. 502 were closed. As a temporary closure, Alberta Transportation may erect a “no access” or “dead end” sign.
A motion for first reading by Councillor Barry Bruce (Division 4) was passed by council. A motion by Deputy Reeve Gene Hrabec (Division 3) to refer the proposed bylaw to Alberta Transportation for approval was then passed. Second and third (final) readings will be considered after that process is completed.
2 - Beaver County Chronicle, March 30, 2022
Procedural bylaw gets final readings Patricia Harcourt Beaver County Council has an amended Procedural Bylaw after passing second and third readings at the March 17 regular meeting. Before doing that, council deleted Section 101 and renumbered the sections following the deleted one to put things in their proper order. Assistant CAO Margaret Jones stated that at the March 2 meeting, council amended proposed Bylaw 22-1119 with respect to the distribution of closed session documents. “Administration requests a further amendment to the bylaw,” stated Jones. “Section 2(aa) indicates that tabling motions are not debatable. Section 101 indicates that tabling motions are debatable with respect to the reason for tabling. “These sections are contradictory and administra-
tion recommends that Section 101 be deleted. Note that a motion to lay a matter on the table is also non-debatable (Section 102),” said Jones. The public was invited to review the bylaw through an article in the Chronicle and in social media postings by the county. The newly amended Bylaw 22-1119, called the Procedural Bylaw, has the following changes from the previous one: Council will have a new tool for dealing with agenda items that do not require discussion or debate, called Consent Agendas. “Consent Agendas will enable the efficient handling of routine items and provide council with additional time to discuss priority items,” explained Jones, in her report. Another change requires a Notice of Motion be made before council con-
siders a motion to rescind. Council will meet at 9:30 a.m. which is an hour later than when the former council met. Councillors will receive agenda packages electronically. Paper copies will no longer be provided. Administration will give councillors background material for closed session discussion prior to the meeting if councillors need extra time to review the information. Closed session agenda items will be distributed separately and in a secure manner with the agenda. Discussion and debate on a bylaw will take place only after first reading (instead of after second reading.) Council also requested that there be clarification that tabling motions are not debatable; and, that the contract information required when a person submits correspondence to council also be clarified.
Claystone Waste e is a municipally con ntrolled corporation established in 20 20 by the Town of Viking, Vikin 2020 ng Town of Tofield Tofield, Village of Ryley, Village of Holden and Beaver County. Claystone Waste is committed to being a responsive community partner and to operating with the highest standards of environmental and operational excellence in the delivery of waste management services. Claystone Waste operates the following facilities:
Beave ver Regional Landfill 50117 17 Ran ange Ro Road 17 173
780. 0.663. 3.2038
The Beaver Regional Landfill is open six days a week, k, Monday to Saturday. It is an engineered, sanitary class 2 landfill that
accepts municipal solid waste from Beaver County and the surrounding municipalities, as well as significant volumes of class 2 non-hazardous industrial wastes. In addition to the regional landfill, Claystone Waste operates five transfer stations. County residents can bring bagged household garbage, e, and other dry waste, such as broken chairs, furniture, e, mattresses and scrap wood for disposal. The location and hours for each transfer station is noted below:
Kinsella Transfer Station 46418 18 Ran ange Ro Road 113 13
x x
Wednesdays: Fridays:
780. 0.663. 3.2038
11:00 am to 5:00 pm 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Viking Transfer Station 12503 To Town wnship ip 480
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10:30 am to 5:30 pm 10:30 am to 5:30 pm
Tofield Transfer Station 51032 32 Ran ange Ro Road 191
x x x
Wednesdays: Fridays: Saturdays:
780. 0.662. 2.27 2731
10:30 am to 5:30 pm 10:30 am to 5:30 pm 10:30 am to 5:30 pm
Lindbrook Transfe fer Station 51008 Ran ange Ro Road 201 x x x
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Tuesdays: Saturdays:
780. 0.71 718.79 7956
Tuesdays: Thursdays: Saturdays:
780.662. 2.270 704
10:30 am to 5:30 pm 11:30 am to 6:30 pm 10:30 am to 5:30 pm
Ryley Transfe fer Station 50117 17 Ran ange Ro Road 17 173
x x x x x x
Mondays: Tuesdays: Wednesdays: Thursdays: Fridays: Saturdays and STATS*:
780. 0.663. 3.2038
9:00 am to 4:30 pm 9:00 am to 4:30 pm 9:00 am to 4:30 pm 9:00 am to 4:30 pm 9:00 am to 4:30 pm 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
* Pl Please note te th that all tr transfe fer sta tati tions ex excep ept fo for th the Ryl yley Tr Transfe fer Sta tati tion are re clo losed on Sta tatu tuto tory ry holid idays ys.
Administration Offices 50117 17 Ra Range Ro Road 17 173 (S (Secon onda dary Hi Highwa way 854) 4) 780. 0.663. 3.2038
Box ox 32 322 Ry Ryley, y, AB T0B 0B 4A 4A0
Toll Fr Free 1. 1.855. 5.22 221. 1.2038
Administration offices are open Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm and are closed from 12:00 to 1:00 pm.
Beaver County Chronicle, March 30, 2022 - 3
Notice of Development Permits The following Development Applications have been APPROVED (except where otherwise noted) by the Development Officer under the provisions of Land Use Bylaw No. 98-801, subject to the right of appeal to the Subdivision and Development Appeal Board. APPEAL DEADLINE: April 20, 2022 Application No. 020020-22-D0001 Applicant: Stantec Consulting Ltd. Owner: Tofield Golf Course Location: NE 35-50-19-W4 and NW 35-50-19-W4 Development: Seasonal Campground Phase One (1) Recreation Use APPEAL DEADLINE: April 20, 2022 Application No. 020020-22-D0009 Applicant: Van Straaten, Sandra Owner: Levesque, Joel Location: W-13-50-20-W4 Development: Mobile Food Vendor - Home Occupation Type II Any person wishing to appeal a decision may do so by serving written notice on the prescribed form (stating reasons for the appeal) and submitting the applicable fee of $200.00 to the Secretary of the Subdivision and Development Appeal Board at the following address. The notice of appeal must be submitted before 4:30 pm on the appeal deadline date shown above, or be postmarked by the appeal deadline date. The prescribed form is available at www.beaver.ab.ca or at the County office. Further information regarding the above decision(s) may be obtained from the County Office, Ryley, Alberta. SECRETARY Subdivision and Development Appeal Board Beaver County, Box 140 Ryley, Alberta T0B 4A0 (780) 663-3730 Due to COVID-19, all appeal hearings will be held electronically until further notice.
Road Bans
4 - Beaver County Chronicle, March 30, 2022
Beaver County Service Centre 5120 - 50 Street Box 140 Ryley, Alberta T0B 4A0 Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Employment Opportunity
Phone: (780) 663-3730 Fax: (780) 663-3602 Toll Free: 1-866-663-1333 www.beaver.ab.ca Email: administration@beaver.ab.ca
Employment Opportunity
Located in East Central Alberta, Beaver County is a leisurely drive 40 minutes east of Edmonton. The area offers a quality lifestyle with a unique blend of country and urban living. The County is home to the Towns of Tofield and Viking, the Villages of Ryley and Holden, and the Hamlets of Bruce and Kinsella. Throughout the seasons of the year there is so much to do in the County, with ample opportunities for tourism, recreation, heritage and culture. Local community groups and organizations deliver numerous programs and services that benefit the diverse population in the County. Information on the desired knowledge, education and experience for this position can be found on the County’s website at:
https://www.beaver.ab.ca/residents/careers Submit your cover letter and resume by referencing the competition number to:
Email: careers@beaver.ab.ca Located in East Central Alberta, Beaver County is a leisurely drive 40 minutes east of Edmonton. The area offers a quality lifestyle with a unique blend of country and urban living. The County is home to the Towns of Tofield and Viking, the Villages of Ryley and Holden, and the Hamlets of Bruce and Kinsella. Throughout the seasons of the year there is so much to do in the County, with ample opportunities for tourism, recreation, heritage and culture. Local community groups and organizations deliver numerous programs and services that benefit the diverse population in the County. Information on the desired knowledge, education and experience for this position can be found on the County’s website at:
https://www.beaver.ab.ca/residents/careers Submit your cover letter and resume by referencing the competition number to:
Email: careers@beaver.ab.ca In-Person/ Mail: PO Box 140, 5120 50 Street, Ryley, AB T0B 4A0 We thank all applicants for your interest. Only those selected for interviews will be contacted.
Request for Proposal of Legal Services
Request for Proposal for Legal Services ISSUE DATE: March 25, 2022 CLOSING DATE AND TIME: 4:30 PM, April 29, 2022 RFP CONTACT: MARGARET JONES, MANAGER OF LEGISLATIVE SERVICES 825-385-0061 mjones@beaver.ab.ca. For more information visit: https://www.beaver.ab.ca/residents/proposals-quotes
In-Person/ Mail: PO Box 140, 5120 50 Street, Ryley, AB T0B 4A0 We thank all applicants for your interest. Only those selected for interviews will be contacted.
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